First Date
Riley had said yes. Of course Riley had said yes; what was she supposed to do, turn down the girl who had opened her up in a way she didn't know was possible? She said yes, and now there they were, backs pressed into the hotel mattress, fingers laced together, staring up at the ceiling as if it's painful to look at each other.
"I can't believe you said yes," Maya breathes, as if reading Riley's mind. Riley turns her head to the side, looking at the beautiful blonde and she smiles when Maya's eyes meet her own.
"What was I supposed to say?" Riley's thoughts tumble out. Maya shrugs.
"So what do we do now?" Maya asks, her voice hesitant, as if she's scared. Riley knows the feeling. She bites her lip, pushing a lock of Maya's hair behind her ear.
"I guess we go on a date," Riley says, sitting up. "A real date. Out in the open."
"But what about paparazzi?" Maya counters, scooting up the bed, sitting upright against the wall.
"You're used to it by now," Riley laughs.
"Maybe, but you aren't. And just because I'm used to it, doesn't mean I have to let them control my life." Maya says sternly.
Riley scrunches her nurse up, staring at Maya with intent. "Are you scared?"
Maya doesn't say anything. She looks down, lacing her fingers together. It was a habit she had picked up from Riley. Riley sighs, moving to sit beside her, taking her hand. Neither says anything for a while.
"What if we did the wrong thing?" Maya's eyes are glossy, but she's not going not cry, she's not.
"Maya," Riley's voice is soft. "We've taken this long. It's taken both of us this long, and we're finally here. Don't let your doubts keep you from happiness."
Maya nods, rubbing her thumb over Riley's palm. "You're right."
---
It's nearly a week and a half later before they can go on a proper date, what with touring and meeting fans and all. The fan reaction to Maya asking Riley out went insane. Most of it was positive, and there were a lot of people commenting about it, saying they knew it was going to happen. There were also a lot of people saying they couldn't tell who was cuter, Maya and Riley or Smackle and Farkle.
The funniest thing to Riley is how a lot of the fans now are wondering when Zay is going to get a girlfriend. These same fans were the ones who had said they saw Rilaya, as they affectionately referred to the couple as, coming a mile a way. They were in for a surprise when, or should she say if, Zay ever came out.
The night if their date, they change in separate hotel rooms. Smackle is helping Maya get ready, and Zay waits for Riley outside the bathroom, flipping through a magazine. "So where exactly are you two going? There's definitely not going to be much privacy."
"Maya's mom owns a restaurant chain, and she has a friend who works at the chain in Atlanta." Riley says, stepping out of the bathroom. She had curled her hair and done her makeup to match the slim-fit purple dress she had chosen to wear. She felt tall in a pair of black heels. "She's shutting the place down for a couple hours."
"That's so romantic," Zay sighs, and Riley steps over, pressing a hand to his cheek. He looks up at her, smiling fondly. "You know, I haven't known you long, but you're like the sister I never had."
Riley returns the smile, reaching out a hand. He takes it, allowing her to pull him up to stand. "Thank you, Zay. You really helped me with all of this. I just wish there was a way I could help you."
"Maybe you can," Zay says. At the look she gives him, he continues. "We have a stop in Texas in a couple of weeks. I was wanting to talk to Lucas about how I felt. I don't expect him to feel the same, but at least my feelings would be out there."
"Zay," Riley says, in a voice she had reserved for family. But now Zay, and Smackle, and Maya, they were her family. "I'm so proud of you."
"If you and Maya can be happy, why can't I?" Zay says optimistically. Riley pulls him into a hug, and they linger for a moment before Riley pulls away.
"I really should go, we have to leave in ten minutes." Riley says, and Zay nods.
"Have fun."
Riley let's the door close behind her, knocking on the door to the room beside her. Smackle is the one to open the door. "Close your eyes, and come in."
Riley does as she says, fumbling into the room. She had never been very graceful with her eyes open; walking with her eyes closed made her feel like a newborn deer.
"Okay, you can both open your eyes in three... Two... Now." Smackle counts down, and they open their eyes when she says now. Riley gives Maya a once over, smiling from ear to ear.
"You look like royalty," Maya compliments, although Riley thinks Maya is the one that looks like a queen. Her long blond locks had been put into a very elegant braid. She was wearing a red dress with a heart neckline that went down to her knees, and her eyes were dusted in gold.
"You look... saucy."' Riley says, thinking of how Farkle would describe her. She wished he could be here, wished her parents could be here, to witness one of the most important moments of her life. A real first date. With a girl, no less. She felt so brace and yet, so vulnerable.
"Ironic phrasing," Maya laughs, and Riley quirks an eyebrow. Maya bites her lip. "You'll see."
---
Riley does see. Maya not only took her to the restaurant, she had cooked most of the food in front of them using the ingredients in the restaurants kitchen. When she had the time, Riley didn't know. But it was delicious none the less. And it was, as Zay had said, very romantic.
But nothing much had changed. They still talked like they had before. They were still best friends, after all. The biggest change that Riley could see was just that, now, they were holding hands and kissing as if it were the most normal thing in the world. Which it was, now,
"You really went all out," Riley says around a biteful of spaghetti. Riley had seen their designated waiter for the night bringing it out, and she laughed at the saucy comment she had made earlier.
"I thought we both deserved it," Maya shrugs. The conversation continues, and isn't interrupted until nearly an hour later when the waiter brings out a a medium-sized round chocolate cake with a whole in the middle. He sets it on the table, and Riley gapes. Maya grins. "I knew you loved chocolate."
"Maya, you're too much." Riley says, using a fork to dig into the cake.
"Just wait until you see what I have planned after this." Maya comments, following Riley's lead.
"There's more?" Riley looks incredulous. "I'm definitely planning our second date."
"Wouldn't this technically be our second date?" Maya recalls to memory the finger painting they had done together. It certainly felt like a date to her.
"Unofficially," Riley follows her train of thought, shrugging.
"Anyways," Maya stands up, reaching out a hand to pull Riley up. Suddenly, the already dull lights get dimmer, so that the only thing Riley can see is whatever is in front of her, which would be Maya at the moment. She follows carefully. She hadn't seen it before, but part of the restaurant was emptied of chairs and tables.
Maya stops, turning to face Riley. Riley raises an eyebrow, letting Maya guide her hands, one on Maya's waist, the other on her shoulder. Maya places her hands in the same position, and a familiar tune begins to play.
"How'd you know this is my favorite song?" Riley asks with an adoring smile.
"I looked at your music library and saw what was the top played track," Maya admits.
Riley shakes her head, letting out a sigh. She leans forward, resting her head on Maya's shoulder; it fits perfectly into the crock of her neck. Almost as if they were made for each other. And with the light of the stars and the moon and the smell of Maya's perfume comfortingly caressing her, she kind of thinks they are.